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Abstract

The Tripartite Influence Model (Thompson et al, 1999) proposed that there are three primary influences which impact body image: parents, peers, and media. Based upon this model Thompson et al. (2004) created the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Scale which measures internalization and body comparison based upon these influence variables. The current study extends this research by focusing in on the media influence and looking directly at its impact on internalization. The method at hand involves pre and post-test internalization measures. The post-test is taken after the viewing of either an athletic or sexualized image. This athletic image type incorporates the recent revisions of the SATAQ-3 to include questions about athletic body type. The aim of the study was to examine differences in athletic and general internalization levels based upon image type (athletic or sexualized). Results indicated no significant impact of image type upon internalization. Furthermore, female athletes and non-athletes did not differ in levels of pre or post-test internalization.